Nordic World strikes UK formats deal

Distributor Nordic World has entered into a first-look partnership with recently-formed UK format creation outfit Boxatricks.

Under the deal Nordic World, which is owned by public broadcasters TV2 Norway and TV4 Sweden, will have first rights to new formats created by Boxatricks.

Boxatricks was formed in September 2013 by former Celador execs Steve Springford and Colman Hutchinson with Who Wants to be a Millionaire creators David Briggs and Michael Whitehill, and considers itself a format creation/development outfit rather than a production company.

As part of the partnership they will also co-develop formats for Nordic World’s broadcast backers, working with the distributor’s network of independent producers.

The new agreement comes just a week after Nordic World announced its acquisition of Amsterdam-based Absolutely Independent, another format specialist, and can be seen as another step in its expansion plans across Northern Europe.

Jan Salling (pictured), Nordic World’s chief operating officer and sales director, described the deal as a “business coup”, which showed a “huge vote of confidence in our abilities”.

Steve Springford, Boxatricks MD and co-founder added: “Scandinavia has really made its mark on the global TV landscape over the last few years and we’re thrilled to be working with Nordic World to co-develop formats with Nordic and international appeal.”